Pubdate: Fri, 15 Oct 2010
Source: Redwood Times (Garberville, CA)
Copyright: 2010 MediaNews Group
Contact: http://www.redwoodtimes.com/Writeus
Website: http://www.redwoodtimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5147
Author: Scott Kender

I'M SO EXCITED I VOTED YES ON PROP. 19

To the Editor:

I am so excited that I can't keep it to myself; for the first time in 
my life, I was able to assist in the process of legalizing marijuana 
by voting YES on Prop 19. As a 215 patient, I am glad this prop. does 
not affect my rights as a patient; as a consumer I will no longer 
have to worry about possessing a personal use amount; and as a 
supporter of domestic hemp production, marijuana legalization will 
eliminate the barriers to this enterprise. I can't wait for that in particular.

My main rebuttal to those opposed to the measure: legalization is a 
process. Once Prop 19 passes, it will be up to the state, counties 
and courts to work out the particulars. As for dropping the price of 
pot, as a consumer Mexican brick weed (yeah, those illegal Mexicans 
have been growing for a good long while now) was always an option if 
my cash flow was limited and I couldn't afford a better grade of 
smoke. If growers in Cali have sense, they have the golden 
opportunity to turn prime growing regions into the boutique cannabis 
market, just like Napa/Sonoma now do for wine. I can't believe I am 
siding with the Guvernator, the savings in court/prison costs for 
misdemeanor offenders will be a big shot in the arm for the budget 
(sorry Cali Prison Guard and Police PACS who support keeping their 
jobs by keeping the medicine illegal). Finally, just the thought that 
human beings have had the audacity to wage a program on a life form 
that has been here before the first mammals even came into existence 
(and flowering plants made such life forms possible) can now be 
exposed for the insanity it was.

I am also happy to see various choices for all the local and state 
races, beyond the Democrats and Republicans. I voted straight Green 
myself. If you feel dissatisfied with the current 1-and-1/2 party 
system, check out the other parties' candidates and see if they don't 
meet your expectations better than Tweedledee/Tweedledum.

Anyone want to hot box my place on Nov. 3 in celebration?

(Disclosure: my last name, translated from the Hungarian, means hemp 
in English. It's a family thing...)

Salaam Alekum.

Scott Kender

Garberville 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake